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The doctrine of the imago Dei has been criticized for technically excluding people who suffer from severe cognitive disabilities. With such people in mind, Hammond reexamines the doctrine and sets forth a more accurate and inclusive understanding. This work concludes with implications and practical applications to help seminary professors, pastors, and church members include, embrace, and welcome people with severe intellectual disabilities and their families.

Endorsements

“A gift born out of much affliction of soul and mind. . . . In an age when the secular discussion of ‘personhood’ runs parallel to the theological discussion of imago Dei, Dr. Hammond gives us a careful, clear, and theologically detailed treatment of this vital doctrine for our day.”

—Michael S. Beates, Dean of Students, The Geneva School, Winter Park, Florida; Author, Disability & the Gospel: How God Uses Our Brokenness to Display His Grace

“This book is a gem, for it defends the traditional view of who we are in the face of the relevant theological and scientific issues. . . . It is unique, powerful, biblically sound, and practical. I am not aware of anything quite like it.”

—William Edgar, Professor of Apologetics, Westminster Theological Seminary

“A powerful study of the image of God and also of the practical impact that our beliefs hold for our treatment of those who are mentally broken. This carefully researched and well-written book will move, disturb, challenge, and bless readers.”

—Chad Vandixhoorn, Chancellor’s Professor of Historical Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary, Washington, DC

Also commended by:

• Richard B. Gaffin, Jr., Emeritus Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology, Westminster Theological Seminary
• Peter Y. Lee, Associate Professor of Old Testament, Reformed Theological Seminary, Washington, DC
• Bryan Estelle, Professor of Old Testament, Westminster Seminary California 

The Author

George C. Hammond

George C. Hammond (M.Div., Westminster Theological Seminary; D.Min., Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary) is the pastor of Bethel Presbyterian Church in Leesburg, Virginia, and a teaching fellow of the C. S. Lewis Institute Fellows Program. 

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